Assessing the health of homeless people.

New guidance on assessing the health of homeless people features an assessment template for community nurses working with this group. It includes key questions on general physical health, mental health, long-term conditions, substance use, sexual health and housing. It also incorporates template care plans for use by both nurses and patients, and includes Read Codes for practice-based settings. This article looks at the impact homelessness can have on health, and summarises the Queen's Nursing Institute's guidance on assessing the healthcare needs of homeless people.